l of them, and all the children,
but the arrangement had come up suddenly, and she could not possibly
prepare a supper herself, for such a big family, in the length of time
she had. Hannah said she was perfectly sure everyone of them would
drop everything, and be tickled to pieces to bring the supper, and to
come, and they would have a grand time. What did Kate want? Oh, she
wanted bread, and chicken for meat, maybe some potato chips, and
Angel's Food cake, and a big freezer or two of Agatha's best ice cream,
and she thought possibly more butter, and coffee, than she had on hand.
She had plenty of sugar, and cream, and pickles and jelly. She would
have the tables all set as she did for Christmas. Then Kate rang for
Adam and put a broom in his hand as he entered the back door. She met
Milly with a pail of hot water and cloths to wash the glass. She went
to her room and got out her best afternoon dress of dull blue with gold
lace and a pink velvet rose. She shook it out and studied it. She had
worn it twice on the trip North. None of them save Adam ever had seen
it. She put it on, and looked at it critically. Then she called Milly
and they changed the neck and sleeves a little, took a yard of width
from the skirt, and behold! it became a "creation," in the very height
of style. Then Kate opened her trunk, and got out the petticoat, hose,
and low shoes to match it, and laid them on her bed.

Then they set the table, laid a fire ready to strike in the cook stove,
saw that the gas was all right, set out the big coffee boiler, and
skimmed a crock full of cream. By four o'clock, they could think of
nothing else to do. Then Kate bathed and went to her room to dress.
Adam and Milly were busy making themselves fine. Little Poll sat in
her prettiest dress, watching her beloved "Tate," until Adam came and
took her. He had been instructed to send Robert and the minister to
his mother's room as soon as they came. Kate was trying to look her
best, yet making haste, so that she would be ready on time. She had
made no arrangements except to spread a white goatskin where she and
Robert would stand at the end of the big living room near her door.
Before she was fully dressed she began to hear young voices and knew
that her people were coming. When she was ready Kate looked at herself
and muttered: "I'll give Robert and all of them a good surprise. This
is a real dress, thanks to Nancy Ellen. The poor girl! It's scarc